CRICKET IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2017 MAKING CRICKET MAINSTREAM Members of Cricket Ireland c/o Unit 22, Grattan Business Park Clonshaugh Dublin 17 Ireland 26 April 2018 Dear Members, We are pleased to present the Cricket Ireland Annual Report 2017 – providing an overview of the financial and operational achievements of Cricket Ireland (also known as The Irish Cricket Union Company Limited by Guarantee). Best wishes Ross McCollum Warren Deutrom Chairman Chief Executive Cricket Ireland Cricket Ireland 01 CRICKETIRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2017 1 OVERVIEW About Cricket Ireland 4 Chairman’s Report 5 Chief Executive’s Report 6 2 PERFORMANCE REPORTS High Performance 8 International Men’s Programme 8 International Women’s Programme 8 Domestic Men’s Inter-Provincial & Women’s Super 3’s 9 Wolves, Academy and International Youth 9 Participation 10 Commercial 12 3 COMMITTEE REPORTS Cricket Committee 16 Finance Committee (including financial statements) 18 1 OVERVIEW 03 CRICKET IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ABOUT CRICKET IRELAND Cricket Ireland is the national governing body for the sport of cricket in Ireland. It is responsible for setting the strategic direction and the national administration of cricket on the island of Ireland. Cricket Ireland (also known as “The Irish NATIONAL RE-EMERGENCE GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE Cricket Union Company Limited by Guarantee”) was established in 1923, Proper competitive national fixtures There are 12 Directors on the Board of originally with a brief to organise the began for Ireland in 1980 with entry to Cricket Ireland, five of which are national squad, primarily arranging the English Gillette Cup, and while it independent. Five provincial bodies fixtures against the Scotland and the was a long road to becoming a have responsibility for the game in their English MCC, as well as occasional visits competitive side, a turning point respective regions, while key standing by English Counties and Test teams. happened at the national level as a committees provide strategic oversight result of Ireland’s performance at the of the recreational, performance and 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup. finance operations of the business. BRIEF HISTORY Entering the tournament for the first Since 1792, cricket has been played in time after success in the qualification Ireland, when the Military of Ireland and competition in 2005, Ireland went on to the Gentlemen of Ireland took each defeat Pakistan and Bangladesh, and other on in the Phoenix Park, where the tie against Zimbabwe on the biggest game still thrives in one of the world’s stage of all – this was seen as oldest established cricket clubs. unprecedented for an Associate Member country. By the mid-1850’s the game had expanded to the point where it was the Subsequent performances at the 2011 largest and most popular sport in the and 2015 Cricket World Cups further country.Its success was such that the consolidated Ireland’s credentials as an first team to represent Ireland beat their emerging force, defeating England and English counterparts in 1855. West Indies respectively along the way. The game went into decline towards the end of the century,largely a victim FULL MEMBERSHIP of politics and class, although it continued in the north of the country On 22 June 2017 the ICC announced and in the heartlands of central and that Ireland had been granted Full northern Dublin. Membership status and had become a fully-fledged Test Match playing nation. Any thoughts of resurgence in the sport was restricted greatly when the Shortly after,Ireland announced that its Gaelic Athletics Association (GAA) historic first Test Match would be held introduced Law 27 in 1902, banning in May 2018 against Pakistan. GAA players from either participating or even watching the so-called ‘English sports’ of football, rugby or cricket. The ban lasted for more than 70 years. CRICKETIRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2017 04 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT In 2017 cricket history was created – Ireland achieved its stated objective of becoming a Full Member of the International Cricket Council and a Test-playing nation. When Cricket Ireland set out its vision the men’s Under-19 squad last but not least, the fans of cricket in 2012 to achieve Test-status, many qualifying for the Under-19 Cricket in Ireland who make this all believed this ambition was overly World Cup in New Zealand with a worthwhile with their ongoing optimistic. However,we created a heart-stopping final match victory energy and enthusiasm. Strategic Plan 2012-2015 that over Scotland in the qualifiers; and established for the first time a the Inter-Provincial Series being Finally,I would like to acknowledge the substantive roadmap to achieve this played for the first time under outgoing President Brian Walsh, a man goal. official first-class status. I have known for many years. Brian’s dedication to cricket in Ireland is Key to achieving this was building a Cricket is a team sport, and there is also beyond doubt and in the past 12 strong foundation to the sport through a ‘team’ of funding organisations, months he has travelled many miles a strengthened club infrastructure, sponsors and commercial partners, and seen many cricket games. I wish growth in participation and creation of volunteers and staff that make up what Brian well and hope he remains as pathways for players to enter and we would consider as our extended closely involved as ever in the game for remain within the game from childhood ‘cricket family’. many years to come. to adulthood. On behalf of the Board I would like to Brian will be succeeded by Aideen Rice The subsequent Strategic Plan 2016- particularly acknowledge: who will be creating a little piece of 2020 built on these initiatives and set a The ICC and its continued support Irish cricketing history being the first defined target of Ireland becoming a of Cricket Ireland, most notably with woman President for our sport. On ‘Test Nation’ by 2020. I am proud that its granting of Full Membership; behalf of the wider cricket family I we not only achieved this ambitious Sport Ireland and Sport Northern welcome Aideen to the role and look goal but achieved it more than two Ireland – two government sporting forward to working with her over a big years ahead of schedule. bodies whose support enables our year ahead for cricket in Ireland. organisation and our players to Thus, 2017 was a truly historic year for perform at their best; Ross McCollum our sport - indeed sport in general - All sponsors and commercial Chairman across this island. partners - particularly Turkish Airlines (men’s national team While the year produced a number of sponsor), Hanley Energy (women’s key highlights on the playing field, the national team sponsor,Inter-Pro’s moments that stood out personally and youth cricket sponsor) and were: Shapoorji Pallonji (Academy the senior men’s team playing at sponsor) – your support is Lord’s Cricket Ground against invaluable to ensuring Ireland’s England – while the result on the international and domestic cricket day didn’t go our way,the occasion remains world-class; truly reinforced that we had arrived the members who support our on the global stage; teams all year round; the women’s team competing the army of volunteers who give so valiantly at the World Cup Qualifier, graciously of their time; in the process retaining its ODI Warren Deutrom and the status and finishing the year ranked management team at Cricket 10th in the world; Ireland who are leading one of the most proficient national cricket bodies in the sport worldwide; and 05 CRICKETIRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2017 CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REPORT 2017 was a remarkable year for cricket in Ireland – one which we should all be proud, and not just a little excited as we enter a new era in the Irish cricket journey. On 22 June 2017 we received Full globally – through participants, eye- under Aaron’s watchful eye. On the Membership of the ICC and, with it, Test balls and market-share – has been field the women’s senior team also Match status. This announcement has acknowledged at the highest levels of performed well at the World Cup completed one stage of a journey that Government. Qualifier tournament, and ended the has taken Irish cricket from marginal year ranked 10th in the world. and mostly ignored to one of the Off the field, whilst the role of premier nations in the world’s 2nd supporting and sustaining club cricket I would like to recognise the wonderful biggest sport. belongs to the Provincial Unions, we generosity of our commercial partners, recognise that volunteer time is finite, the Irish Government and Sport Ireland, And I deliberately use the word ‘we’ in so Cricket Ireland is dedicated to the ICC, our Board, our committees, our that last statement - this new elevated providing the Unions with the members, our volunteers and our status isn’t just a victory for Cricket opportunity,capacity and the resources supporters. All of you play a significant Ireland, rather it is a victory for Irish to keep going, to enable them to part in our story,and you are all a big Cricket. The wider ‘cricket family’ in support club cricket. part of our success. Ireland should be proud of where the sport has come in the last decade. In that regard, 2017 saw our sport make Tomy own team in Cricket Ireland, you some large steps in strengthening have made Irish cricket what it is today, While the year offered numerous provincial union structures across this and are rightfully recognised as one of highlights, there is one month in island, which included funding regional the best administrations in Irish sport. particular that I believe exemplifies development officers and Provincial where Irish cricket is at – May 2017.